And if one had to pick one year of the 60s that was more 60-ish than any other, 1968 would be high on the list.

The Tet Offensive in January. The publication of ” Soul on Ice” by Eldridge Cleaver in February. My Lai Massacre in March. King assassination in April. Poor People’s Campaign in May. Robert Kennedy assassination in June. American Indian Movement founded in July. Riots during Democratic Convention in Chicago in August. Miss America protest in September. Tommie Smith and John Carlos protest at Olympics during medal ceremony in October. Shirley Chisholm first Black woman elected to Congress in November. And in December, Apollo 8 completed the first manned orbit of the moon.

A pretty good representation of “those” 60s.

Women’s Liberation Movement Redstockings

Miss America

Let’s go back to that Miss America protest in September. It was organized by the New York Radical Women and during the protest women threw pots, false eyelashes, mops, and other items into a trash can. Despite the lore, they did not burn bras. The protesters also successfully unfurled a large “Women’s Liberation” banner inside the contest hall. (One wonders what President Donald Trump would have to say about either happening today?)

1968 Miss America protest in Atlantic City (photo from Redstockings)

Women’s Liberation Movement Redstockings

Redstockings

On January 31, 1969, Ellen Willis and Shulamith Firestone formed the group Redstockings after the breakup of New York Radical Women. According to their site, “Redstockings” was a name taken in 1969 …to represent the union of two traditions: the “bluestocking” label disparagingly pinned on feminists of earlier centuries–and “red” for revolution.

Redstocking stamp

Women’s Liberation Movement Redstockings

Changes

The group has gone through several changes since its founding, but its mission remains the same. From the beginning of its 1969 manifesto:

After centuries of individual and preliminary political struggle, women are uniting to achieve their final liberation from male supremacy. Redstockings is dedicated to building this unity and winning our freedom.

I had never heard of Redstockings, which is likely my own indictment. Perhaps you have not either.